Management & Operations

Paralympics needs more buses

The Salt Lake Organizing Committee is short on buses needed to shuttle athletes and coaches during the Paralympic Games March 7 to 16.
The committee, working with state transportation officials, is soliciting bids nationwide.
The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) committed its fleet of 103 Flextrans vehicles, and will provide regular service for the disabled population during the Paralympics. Ninety-two percent of the UTA's 600 regular buses are also ADA accessible.
The Paralympics is expected to draw 232,000 people, including 1,100 athletes and coaches from 35 countries.

A fully autonomous, 15-passenger electric shuttle manufactured by French firm NAVYA will support research and provide self-guided tours of Mcity, the university's test site for connected and automated vehicles.

The AV passenger shuttle will run a fixed-route stopping at designated stops within an office park. The pilot will begin with two vehicles — each with a customer service agent onboard for passenger questions and information.